When Hanna, a 15-month-old labrador retriever, broke her front tooth while chewing on a bone earlier this year the injury left her sad and hungry because it hurt to eat.

Now the adorable puppy is able to chew food again after the first of its kind 3D printed tooth replaced her broken incisor.

On 1 July a team of Brazilian dentists and scientists at the University in Santos in Southeast Brazil fitted the pooch with a bionic tooth using cutting edge technology.

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Hanna, a 15-month-old labrador retriever, broke her front tooth while chewing on a bone earlier this year. Now the adorable puppy is finally able to eat again after getting a 3D printed tooth to replace her broken incisor

THE ANIMAL AVENGERS

The Animal Avengers is a voluntary team of four Brazilian veterinarians, a dentist and 3D design specialist who pool their skills to save injured animals fitting them with specially designed prostheses.

Based in Sao Paulo, the team have reconstructed artificial beaks for three toucans, a parrot, and a goose; designed the first ever titanium prosthetic pecker for a Macaw and built a brand new plastic-based replacement hull for a traumatised tortoise.

Forensic dentist Dr Paulo Miamoto made the mould of the dog's upper jaw, while 3D design specialist Cicero Moraes produced the digital prosthetic in Chromium and Cobalt.

The duo are part of the 'Animal Avengers' along with Roberto Fecchio, a veterinary surgeon, who carried out the operation.

The ingenious team of six specialists - four vets, a dental surgeon and a 3D designer - use pioneering 3D technology to prolong the lives of seriously wounded pets and exotic wild animals.

Based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the team have reconstructed artificial beaks for three toucans, a parrot, and a goose; designed the first ever titanium prosthetic pecker for a Macaw and built a brand new plastic-based replacement hull for a traumatised tortoise.

Now their cutting-edge techniques have helped a puppy eat again.

'The new tooth is tougher than the original one,' Cicero Moraes said. 'This is the smallest object I have ever had to design for printing.'

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Forensic dentist Dr Paulo Miamoto made the mould of the dogs upper jaw (pictured). The cutting-edge techniques have helped a puppy eat again

The puppy's front tooth was broken after she damaged it while eating a bone earlier in the year (picture shows damaged tooth on left side of mouth)

The puppy was sad and hungry before the procedure because it hurt her to eat after chewing a bone left her tooth damaged. 'This technique has been amazing and left her pain free' her owner said. her recovery was fast and she has already resumed her normal life

HOW THEY DID IT

Instead of a traditional X-ray scan, a series of photos were used to digitally map and reproduce the artificial tooth.

To accurately reproduce the replacement, the team copied the equivalent of the damaged tooth on the other side of Hanna's mouth.

Forensic dentist Dr Paulo Miamoto made the mould of the dog's upper jaw, while 3D design specialist Cicero Moraes produced the digital prosthetic in Chromium and Cobalt.

'To accurately reproduce the replacement, we copied the equivalent of the damaged tooth on the other side of Hanna's mouth.'

Instead of a traditional X-ray scan, a series of photos were used to digitally map and reproduce the artificial tooth.

Following successful surgery, Roberto Fecchio said: 'Hanna's recovery was quick and she has already resumed normal life.

'However, because the replacement is an incisor that involved root canal treatment she has to be careful not to put too much pressure on the tooth.'

According to Hanna's owner, real estate agent Jeanne Montenegro, 52, the pup is banned from chewing on bones and playing tug of war.

'I can already see Hanna is back to her usual playful self,' she said.

'She is gobbling up her food and loving all the apples and carrots I can give her.

The 3D metal tooth was produced at the Renato Archer Information Technology Centre in Campinas, one of only two outfits in Brazil that can print in metal

Using a series of minute calculations, the 'Animal Avengers' adapted the new tooth by tiny dimensions to fit into the available space

The procedure was provided free of charge by the scientists who agreed to waive their fees as it was the first procedure of its kind in the world

'She was so sad and hungry before because it hurt to eat. This technique has been amazing and left her pain free.'

The 3D metal tooth was produced at the Renato Archer Information Technology Centre in Campinas, one of only two outfits in Brazil that can print in metal.

Using a series of minute calculations, the 'Animal Avengers' adapted the new tooth by tiny dimensions to fit into the available space.

According to Hanna's owner, real estate agent Jeanne Montenegro, 52, the pup is banned from chewing on bones and playing tug of war. Because the replacement is an incisor that involved root canal treatment she has to be careful not to put too much pressure on the tooth

Mr Moraes added: 'At the moment this process is very expensive and would normally cost around 5,000 Brazilian Real ($1500/£1160).

'However, the 3D prosthesis was precisely produced to the millimetre, and this accuracy resulted in no waste of material.'

The procedure was provided free of charge by the scientists who agreed to waive their fees because it was the first procedure of its kind in the world.

Dr Miamoto added: 'We chose this procedure in order to test new techniques, looking towards the future.

'We believe that one day, this new technology will become more accessible and widely used, benefiting animals and humans in years to come.'

FRED THE TORTOISE RECEIVES FIRST 3D PRINTED PROSTHETIC SHELL

In May this year, a tortoise was given a new lease of life thanks to a custom-made prosthetic shell after he was left close to death in a bush fire.

The reptile, named Freddy, was found severely injured by vets in Brazil with his shell completely destroyed due to the blaze.

His prospects were looking bleak, but thankfully the group of superhero surgeons came to his aid.

The 3D design was sent to dental surgeon Dr Paulo Miamoto who used a desk-top 3D printer to build an authentic four-piece shell that slotted together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Following a successful operation, Freddy returned to full mobility sporting a beautifully hand-painted hull that blends into its natural habitat.

In May this year, a tortoise was given a new lease of life thanks to a custom-made prosthetic shell after he was left close to death in a bush fire. The reptile, named Freddy (pictured) was found severely injured by vets in Brazil with his shell completely destroyed due to the blaze